Management of ulcerative colitis
There is no curative treatment for ulcerative colitis except the surgical removal of the colon, and this surgery has a significant impact on the patient’s life. Medical treatment is the initial measure in the management plan, and it aims to induce and maintain remission. Treatment depends on the disease severity (mild, moderate, or severe), extent, and stage (exacerbation or remission). At first, your doctor will treat the attack by relieving the symptoms and giving the colon a chance to heal. Then, the treatment will aim to maintain this remission as possible and prevent any complications. Acute severe ulcerative colitis may need hospitalization.
If the medical treatment failed to control the disease, surgery would be the choice. Surgery may be urgent in acute attacks or life-threatening complications. Surgery cures ulcerative colitis, but the extraintestinal symptoms persist. Thus, discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with your doctor before a decision.